PDP, ADC, NDC, LP, ADP Meet INEC Deadline on Omitted Candidates
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Labour Party (LP) and Action Democratic Party (ADP) have said they met the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) October 24 deadline for correcting the names of candidates omitted from its published list.
The affected parties were among those whose candidates’ names were missing from the list recently released by the electoral umpire ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
The PDP’s National Organising Secretary, Captain Umar Bature (retd.), confirmed that the party completed the necessary corrections within the stipulated period.
“Yes, we met the deadline since,” he told Vanguard on Sunday.
The PDP’s affected candidates reportedly include its governorship hopefuls in Ogun and Gombe states, Oladipupo Adebutu and Professor Isa Pantami, respectively, as well as seven House of Assembly candidates.
Other opposition parties, including the Social Democratic Party (SDP), were also reported to have been affected by omissions in the published list.
The NDC’s National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, similarly confirmed that the party met the deadline when contacted by Vanguard.
“Yes, we did,” he said.
The National Chairman of the ADP, Yabagi Yusuf Sani, also confirmed that his party complied with INEC’s directive.
“We did. Thanks a lot,” he said.
Similarly, the Labour Party’s National Publicity Secretary, Ken Asogwa, said the party remained in good standing with INEC regarding the correction of names and replacement of candidates.
“The Labour Party is in good standing with INEC, including on matters relating to the correction of names and replacement of candidates,” Asogwa said.
He added that the party was confident of a successful outing for its candidates in the forthcoming general elections.
INEC Yet to Clarify Status of Some Candidates
Despite the assurances from the affected parties, INEC had yet to provide further clarification on the status of some omitted candidates, including John Upan of the NDC and Ambassador Nkoyo Toyo of the ADC in Cross River State.
Toyo told Vanguard that she had completed all the required procedures before the October 24 deadline but was still awaiting an official update from the electoral commission.
“They gave us the deadline of October 24, which was Saturday, and I had done all that they asked for, but they have not brought out any information. Let’s wait for them,” she said.
The Head of Voter Education at INEC in Cross River State, Osaro Aisen, said the matter was being handled by the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.
“The whole thing is handled from Abuja and it is a legal matter. Let’s see what will come forth tomorrow (Monday),” Aisen said.
He added that he could not give a definitive response until the following day.
“I cannot give you a categorical answer now till tomorrow,” he said.
The electoral commission is expected to clarify the status of the affected candidates as the parties await further information on the outcome of the correction process.